Tag Archives | plus size

It’s almost Christmas, but did you know that SmartGlamour’s clothing lines have a hidden “easter egg?” You may have noticed that many of our products have people’s names — that’s not just a stylistic choice; it’s a deliberate way in which we pay homage to the people who have made waves and pioneered the way forward throughout history.

Today, we’re going to take a look at the Holiday 2017 line, which celebrates feminist artists of the 70’s:

Renate Eisenegger

Renate Eisenegger is a multi-disciplinary avant-garde artist from Germany. Some of her photographic work includes painting her face with bright white paint and abstracting herself with geometric lines or photographing herself disappearing as she covers her features with cotton and tape. Recently, during an exhibition of Feminist Avant-Garde art in London, Renate Eisnegger stated, “For over forty years, no one took any interest in my works. They were all in the attic.” If you can find some of her art outside of an attic, then you should go check it out.

Lynn Hershman Leeson

Lynn Hershman Lesson is living art. For two years in the seventies, she created an entirely different persona and lived that persona’s life instead of her own. She explored her own femininity through the construction of someone else’s — of her experience, she said, “Through fiction you can sometimes get to a deeper truth.” Beyond using herself as a canvas, her later art included film and digital technology to explore desire, femininity, and social construction.

Cindy Sherman

A woman after my own heart, Cindy Sherman explored the performance of “woman” through photography throughout the seventies. Using makeup, wigs, and clothing, she constructed a series of personas and photographed herself, raising questions about “common stereotypes and cultural assumptions” while simultaneously creating and critiquing the photograph and its viewer.

Karin Mack

Austrian artist Karin Mack also played with identity in her works. She began her career as a documentary photographer — one who photographs things as they are — but she quickly moved to concept photography to explore and deconstruct the idealized image and the expectations we place on the image of “woman.” One of her most striking series explores “the death of the image…as an act of liberation.”

Mary Beth Edelson

Mary Beth Edelson is an American multidisciplinary artist who was also active in the feminist and civil rights movements of the 60s and 70s. Her work deconstructs patriarchal history, as in Some Living Women Artists/Last Supper, where she replaced the heads of the men in da Vinci’s famous painting with her peers. She often turns to goddesses and strong female characters and tropes from history and fiction in her art.

Hannah Wilke

Using unconventional media, like chewing gum and laundry lint, Hannah Wilke’s work was radical and in-your-face. She was a performance artist who was unafraid to shy away from the taboo — which meant that many of her pieces were evocative of (or explicitly about) the vulva/vagina. She often used her own body as a canvas — such as in an iconic photograph of herself covered in chewing gum shaped like vulvas in the S.O.S. — Starification Object Series.

VALIE EXPORT

VALIE EXPORT was born Waltraud Lehner. As a revolt against parents who had been complacent during the Nazi regime and against patriarchal norms, she shed her father’s and husband’s names, and instead took the name of a brand of cigarettes. Her artwork was performative and in-your-face — including a piece of performance art called Tap and Touch Cinema, wherein she wore a curtained “theater” on her upper body and had passersby touch her unseen breasts through the curtain. She also wrote a powerful manifesto on women’s art in 1972.

It’s amazing how much feminist art has flown just off below radar of popular culture. If any of these women and their work sparked your curiosity, go and take a deep dive! The more we support the feminist art that does exist, the more room it creates in the popular narrative for art like this.

SmartGlamour pays tribute to more than just this one group of people — stay tuned for future posts explaining the backstory and history behind the names of your favorite pieces of clothing.

And don’t forget: December 1 is your last day to shop in order to receive your order by Christmas, and December 8 is your last day if you want your order in time for New Year’s Eve! If you’ve been waiting to order, now’s the time.

1. Aside from occasionally modeling for SmartGlamour – what do you do?

I direct opera and coach singers, and stage manage theater. And some other modeling.

2. How did you get involved with the brand?

I saw a friend’s sister model a dress I loved. Once I learned more, I loved the fashion, and the representation without tokenism, and the message. I got in touch, and was asked to be woman of the week!

Submitting for the next casting call was oh-screw-it standing-in-my-kitchen-at-1:00am decision, and a great one!

3. You’ve modeled for us multiple times – what makes you continue to come back?

It’s so satisfying, and such such a positive, celebratory environment, for one thing. And I’m proud to represent what it means. It has impact; people have written that it means so much to see someone with a cane as a ‘model’ in an uncompromisingly fashionable and glamorous way.

And while it is challenging for me to do, I’m in grateful shock at Mallorie’s support- many times even physically! (literally #womensupportingwomen!)

4. What does body positivity mean to you?

It means more than I can possibly unpack. But more than anything, it means treating bodies as wonderful, without pretending one is a shape or size it’s not. It means bodies aren’t problems, or worth, and deserve agency and joy.

5. If there is a message you could put across to women/femmes/non binary folks through your modeling photos – what would that be?

It takes work. There’s a lot about everyone that’s invisible, no matter how glam they look! Whatever feels like a struggle isn’t just you, and doesn’t take away from your shine! And that you aren’t relegated to less than anyone- all of you can shine!

6. What is your advice to people who would like to give modeling a try?

Of course know the demands, including openness. But if you feel the pull but are scared? Be scared, try anyway. At least with SG, you won’t regret it.

October’s Model of the Month feature is all about Tracy Rivas! Tracy was introduced to SmartGlamour in 2015, and has participated in campaigns, shoots, and shows since. She is a positive ray of light – and we love having her as a part of the SG family. Read more about her below!

1. Aside from occasionally modeling for SmartGlamour – what do you do? I work as a community events manager at WeWork. I oversee and source events for our 40 buildings in New York City.

2. How did you get involved with the brand? A good friend of mine, Alexa Rose Mullen, asked me to join her to visit a SmartGlamour pop-up shop in the East Village. I was immediately drawn to the clothing and the mission behind SmartGlamour. I was then asked to be a part of Mallorie’s #SameSizeDifferentEyes Campaign, which was an incredibly inspiring campaign and I became more in love with the brand than I already was. I was then fortunate enough to walk one of her Fall Fashion Runway Shows and life officially changed forever. I am forever indebted to Mallorie and will be her advocate and ambassador for LIFE.

3. You’ve modeled for us multiple times – what makes you continue to come back? It’s an honor and a privilege to come back and model for Mallorie. Every time, I feel my super woman wings appear and I feel unstoppable. Supporting and representing SmartGlamour means I am helping to allow other women and femmes to feel comfortable and beautiful in their own skin.

4. What does body positivity mean to you? Body positivity means being unaffected by the judgments and criticisms of society where I am limitless in feeling badass, beautiful, confident and comfortable in my own skin. There is a sort of invincibility in the things that you can do when you are in body positive with yourself and with others.

This month’s model feature is all about Bear Spiegel! Bear has been modeling with us for just over a year now. They’ve participated in runway shows, photo shoots, campaigns, and videos. Learn a bit more about them below.

1. Aside from occasionally modeling for SmartGlamour – what do you do?

Primarily I am an actor and activist doing my best to use theatre to educate and inspire others. I also perform in the city living out my fantasy as a drag queen, Bear Lee Legal. And I’m finishing up my final year of college in which I am getting my BA in acting along with a minor in gender and sexuality studies.

2. How did you get involved with the brand?
I found a post in a Facebook group for queer women and transgender performers in which SmartGlamour was looking for models of all experiences to be in their #InYourSize campaign. I submitted, was selected, and was immediately hooked.

3. You’ve modeled for us multiple times – what makes you continue to come back?

As a nonbinary person, I don’t always feel safe and validated in, primarily, femme spaces. SmartGlamour is a completely judgment free zone in regards to the clothing, my fellow models, and of course our fearless designer Mallorie. My gender and entire self never feels more validated than when I am doing a shoot with SG. I consistently leave with a smile on my face and an incredible amount of confidence.

4. What does body positivity mean to you?

To me, body positivity means minding your own goddamn business. It means that you focus on loving yourself, while not judging what anyone else is doing with their body. Body positivity is supporting ALL kinds of people in whichever way they choose to present themselves. My favorite motto is ‘your body, your choice’. This applies to what goes in my body, on my body, around my body, and out of my body.

5. If there is a message you could put across to women/femmes/non binary folks through your modeling photos – what would that be?

Clothing is not gendered. It is merely pieces of fabric with holes cut out of it and cut in different shapes. I always shop wherever I want to shop in whichever ‘section’ I want to shop because if I find something that is cute, you can bet I’m going to wear it because I am cute.

6. What is your advice to people who would like to give modeling a try?

My advice would be to make sure that you are modeling for you, and not anyone else. Find a supportive group of models/designers/photographers/etc. that want you to present yourself un-apologetically. Don’t try to emulate someone else when you model, just be you!!

Our next Model of the Month has been working with us for multiple years now – Ana York!

She’s been in runway shows, look books, and mini shoots alike. Learn more about her below.

1. Aside from occasionally modeling for SmartGlamour – what do you do?

I work in Human Resources in hospitality!

2. How did you get involved with the brand?

I got involved with SmartGlamour at first modeling jewelry and then I modeled for the Spring 2015 collection!

3. You’ve modeled for us multiple times – what makes you continue to come back?

There are multiple things that makes me come back! The clothes are of course a given. Each article of clothing is catered to you and your body measurements which I think is so valuable and unique. I’m tall and plus size so to have a custom garment is truly one of a kind and wonderful. I come back for the positive and safe space Mallorie and my fellow models have created. Everyone is accepting of one another, cheers each other on, and being in such an environment is hard to find nowadays. The positive environment created speaks to the brand, SmartGlamour itself and that is an ultimate reason for coming back. I am honored to represent a brand that carries a truly inclusive and consistent message.

4. What does body positivity mean to you?

To me body positivity means not only an acceptance but a pride and celebration of your body. No matter your size, it’s the positive affirmation that you are beautiful and worthy of love and happiness.

5. If there is a message you could put across to other people through your modeling photos – what would that be?

I always try to emphasize that my body acceptance journey is still underway. I want people to see that yes, I am confident, but I also have insecurities and things I try to work on. I think that kind vulnerability is important to see and hopefully inspires women that it’s okay to not always feel like you have it together. However, I make a point to show and applaud myself on how far I have come. From someone who was in an abusive relationship with no self esteem to modeling in lingerie, the last few years, I have grown exponentially!

6. What is your advice to other people who would like to give modeling a try?

I think the most important advice to realize it takes so much time, research, money, and effort to be a model. You have to learn your body and angles. You have to network and really be okay with putting yourself out there. It’s tough and there’s a lot of competition so it’s also important to not let rejection get to you. But it’s been such a valuable and rewarding experience for me that I would gladly encourage someone to give it a try.

One day I received an email from a cane user who told me she was in tears (happily) after seeing a model glamorously posing amidst the other models on my site, while using her cane. I won’t go into too many details, for the privacy of both her and my model – but suffice it to say, she had never seen that before, and this is why just one example of why representation is so important.

There is so much “othering” happening in our society today – and a group that absolutely feels the brunt of it are disabled folks. We (generally, as a society) infantalize them, assume they can do less than they can, stating they are automatically “inspiring” by just living, and that they constantly need our help through every little thing. (Please watch our Round Table Discussion videos with a few disabled women and femmes to listen to them directly on these issues.) We refuse to see them as whole, beautiful people, full of talent, intelligence, worth, or even sex appeal. The only way to chip away at this – is by changing how they are seen. And the biggest way to do that – is through media representation.

As I’ve stated previously with our last #AllMeansAll installments (Gender, Size, Skin Color) – SmartGlamour has been including all folks since day one – but did not want to tokenism them or exploit their differences for our gain. Every model is equal to the next in SmartGlamour spaces. However, there is a need to take a stand, highlight these folks, and amplify their voices. Yesterday, we produced the following shoot with only disabled models – and guess what? It was exactly like every other SG shoot.

All folks wear clothes. All folks deserve to have access to ethical, affordable, comfortable, fun clothing. Fashion is fun – and should be for all people. And when we say all, we mean all.

SmartGlamour is a brand that was created to solve fashion fit problems (while simultaneously helping to heal relationships with our bodies) – through a full size range and tons of customizations, our main goal is to make fashion accessible to everyone! Throughout our design process, we do tons of research, and really pay attention to what shoppers are looking for – wishing they could find in the perfect size, fit, price point etc – and we’ve been listening! Scroll below to find out which of your shopping wishes have been granted.

The perfect Wrap Dress

Look no further than the Meredith Wrap Dress! It’s a true wrap – so you can loosen, tighten, adjust as you need. Our model in purple wore hers throughout her pregnancy, and now afterwards! Customize the sleeve length, hem length, bust to waist or waist to hip ratios – you name it.

The Classic Tee

We always hear folks asking for a soft, comfortable, easy to wear t-shirt that isn’t see through, won’t fall apart, and fits well. Look no further than our Ashton Cropped Tee! It does come as a cropped length standard – but with a simple $5 add on – you can have any length you’d like. Standard Tee length? Tunic length? The choice is yours! Petite and tops are always too long? Not an issue here. Customize the sleeve, the fit – grab yourself the perfect tee – in tons of color options! And check out it’s sister – the Virgie Scoop Neck Tee.

Bodysuits

Bodysuits are the perfect layering piece! Tuck one under a skirt or into pants and it’s a stylish, chic, and clean look. They’re super comfortable when made properly with quality fabric. So we created three with varying necklines! Meet the Zelda (with a high neck and keyhole tie back), Noelle (with a our classic sweetheart neckline), and Cecilia (with a front keyhole). Add sleeves to the Noelle or Cecilia. Customize the rise, bust to waist to hip ratios – you name it! And also check out their newest sister, the Ada.

Button Up Shirt that actually Fits

One of the most common asks we heard was for a classic button down shirt that would properly accommodate for any chest size. It took us awhile to figure out how to make one that was accessibly priced (they take a lot of work, friends!) – but we did it! Meet the Rosalind Button Down Shirt. Customizable both in bust to waist ratio, but also in bust circumference – so for our larger chested shoppers, you can give us your back chest measurement, and your front chest measurement, and we’ll ensure you have the room you need!

Perfectly Fitted Pants

Finding a pair of pants that fits properly is like finding a unicorn! We just have so many measurements that go into a pent – from rise to inseam to waist:hip ratio! But all of those aspects can be customized to perfection with our Jackie Skinny Pants + Nicole Wide Leg Pants. Need a more casual pant? Try the Marlene. Fun and comfy? Try the Malala. Evening wear? The Daniela.

Maxi Dresses for all heights

It’s pretty obvious that people come in all different shapes and sizes – but also heights. It can be tough to find full length items that hit at the desired length. Enter the Keriann Maxi, Venus Maxi, Substantia Maxi – and even the Arianna Convertible Dress, customized to a maxi length. For just $5 – you choose! Get the perfect length, every time.

Bralettes for all cup sizes

Bras and bralettes – chests and breasts – we have complicated relationships with them. We made a whole video about it. But what we do know for certain – is that every human being who would like to own a bralette, should be able to find one that fits. It can be difficult for plus size babes with small chests – as well as any size babe with a large chest – to find a bralette in their size. Enter our Starr Cupped Bralette – available in band sizes 28-60 and cups A-I. Also, of course, customizable past those sizes for anyone who needs. You can also customize our Rose Lee + Hensley Bralettes!

Almost as tough as pants – shorts can also be difficult to find that fit properly. If the waist to hip fit isn’t correct, they’ll ride up or fall down all day! Customizing the inseam length and thigh circumference can also help with comfort and avoiding thigh chafing. Our Gloria High Waist Shorts can be customized in a multitude of ways to achieve perfect fit and comfort. Need assistance? Just drop us a line!

A comfortable, stretch Blazer

Comfortable, stylish workwear can always be difficult to find – but one of the easiest ways to pull together an outfit and dress it up is with a blazer. Our Adeline Single Button Plazer is just as comfortable as it is professional. Customize the bust two different ways to ensure the perfect fit. Adjust the sleeve or bodice hem length as needed. Take a look at our Marion Cardigan as well – for a fun twist on a blazer option.

A lace Camisole with Adjustable Straps

Every now and then – we need a bit more coverage on our cleavage under a top. Our Ayla Lace Camisole is perfect for that! But the perfect fit for your camisole is important as well – it’ll stay put, the straps will stay on your shoulders, and it will be long enough. With a customizable length, customizable fit, and adjustable straps – the Ayla has you covered.

June’s Model of the Month is here – and it’s Carine! This babe has worked with us through campaigns, runway shows, and capsule collections. Learn more about her below!

1. Aside from occasionally modeling for SmartGlamour – what do you do?

I’m a mommy! I have two amazing sons, Micah and Zion, they keep me on my toes! I volunteer in my community. I’m a classically trained private chef. Right now I’m laser focused on having my curve modeling career take off!

2. How did you get involved with the brand?

My friend, Tatiana, told me about a SmartGlamour casting and I went for it!

3. You’ve modeled for us multiple times – what makes you continue to come back?

I just love everything this brand stands for. Everyone can have a seat at the fashion table with SmartGlamour.

4. What does body positivity mean to you?

Body positivity is loving the skin you are in despite what society may think is “beautiful” or “acceptable.” It’s loving and appreciating your body and others freely and knowing your self worth. Body positivity is safe and judgement free.

5. If there is a message you could put across to other people through your modeling photos – what would that be?

I’m not your standard model, but that doesn’t mean I’m not as equally stunning as a “straight size” model. Beauty comes in all shapes, body types, skin tones and hair textures. I want to always represent that!

6. What is your advice to other people who would like to give modeling a try?

They need to know that it’s a constant grind/hustle. You need thick skin because this is a tough industry but don’t let that stop you! Take beautiful pictures, LOTS of them and build your portfolio.

SmartGlamour stands with the LGBTQ+ community in celebrating all the colors of the rainbow, all the milestones achieved and the continued efforts in the name of liberation and human rights. To celebrate Pride month, a portion of proceeds from the sale of these Amelia Tees will be donated to our customers’ LGBTQ+ charity of choice. We also thought that, in honor of Pride, our blog would be a great space for sharing personal perspectives on “Pride” from some of our favorite members of the SmartGlamour community – our models! We are thrilled to have been a support to the LGBTQ+ models whose personal perspectives are shared below.

Pride for me is a reminder that I am perfect in every way and that I came from greatness. That it is a time to remind the world and larger LGB movement that their liberation was birthed from trans women of color like Amanda St. Jaymes of the first riot in August 1966 known as the Compton’s Cafeteria Riot, and then came Stonewall Riots which was spearheaded by Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson, and Miss Major.

So during this Pride season I never want trans people of color to forget they came from a great line of trans liberators, as well as the larger LGB movement to remember that, and stop trying to erase us out of the Pride season. It was always about love and liberation and not corporate sponsorships and parties that have now pushed trans women of color out.

How has modeling for SmartGlamour helped you or supported you in your journey?

I was so surprised when I was asked; I never thought with my body type, as well as being trans, that I would be ever asked to be a model. I was so nervous up until the day of the shoot. When I arrived it was such a welcoming space and everyone I worked with that day brought their model game. I loved the outfit they picked for me; I would like more clothes from the line. The experience inspired me to look for more modeling opportunities and made me feel beautiful again. With all the transphobia and dysphoria I face daily, for that one day and moment – and all the online promotions of the shoot – made me feel like I belonged again.

What does Pride mean to you?For a long time, it didn’t mean anything to me. I was a closeted pansexual trans man until I was 20, so I felt really shy about taking part in Pride. Being visible in any way felt dangerous, and growing up in an unsupportive and abusive household didn’t help that much. Once I came to terms with who I was and opened up about it to my immediate community, I found myself shunned by the queers at my school for not being “queer enough.” My queer identity has always been fueled with frustration and hiding until this past year, when I truly found multiple communities who truly support me in my journey. This year, Pride means having the courage to begin the process of transitioning through hormonal therapy. It means finally committing to being visible and proud as the person I truly am.How has modeling for SmartGlamour helped you or supported you in your journey?From the moment I met SG’s founder, Mallorie Dunn, at a NYFW panel about body positivity we were both on, I felt unbelievably supported and seen by her. I was surprised to see that someone outside of my community could work so tirelessly to dress folks with all kinds of bodies, including masculine ones. I’m often made to feel boxed into certain masculine stereotypes by people ever since I came out as a man. But Mallorie has made all parts of who I am feel seen and acknowledged, like my inherent Femininity, while still honoring my male identity without question. In the bridal and formalwear shoot I did with SG and Mallorie, it was incredible to hear the pronouns I use being used by everyone while still allowing me to flounce around in a girly outfit and lipstick for the camera. Mallorie and SG acknowledges that I contain multitudes, and helps me embody the type of Femininity I’m most comfortable with. I feel so empowered in SG spaces and around Mallorie.

Even though I’ve always been aware of Pride’s lineage of resistance, I used to experience it primarily as queer Christmas. I would pick out a special outfit, gather with my friends and family, and spend time celebrating. Since I grew up in a very welcoming and social-justice-focused church (Unitarian Universalist), Pride even involved being surrounded by the same people who I saw at every Christmas service.

That said, last year’s shooting at Pulse hugely shifted my perception. I’m originally from Orlando and that church I spent so much time in growing up is just three miles from the club. Though I was grateful to find that none of my close friends who frequented Pulse were there that night, I was nonetheless left feeling crushed, isolated, and not at all ready to celebrate.

This year, I’ve come back to Pride month with a very different attitude. I haven’t stopped being sad or scared, but that doesn’t mean I’m allowing myself to be cowed. Now my Pride is an act of defiance, refusing to sit down and shut up despite everything pushing me to do so.

How has modeling for SmartGlamour helped or supported you?

Despite being an actor, I’ve never really liked having my picture taken. Even on days when I felt pretty good, a picture that revealed any part of me I wasn’t crazy about could instantly tear down my confidence. Over the past couple of years, I’ve made a concerted effort to change that and SG has been a huge help.

To be honest, looking at the pictures from last year’s #InYourSize campaign (in which Gwen modeled) was initially challenging for me. I thought they were so unflattering. But that stemmed from the fact that it was so easy to compare myself to all these other people. I would look at them and wish that my arms were smaller like this one or that you couldn’t see the outline of my stomach. It took me months to really absorb the fact that THIS IS WHAT I ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE! And that doesn’t make me inherently less valuable than anyone. Not less worthy of feeling good or being seen. Of course I haven’t magically become 100% happy with myself all the time, but modeling for SG has absolutely helped me work through my discomfort.

Pride to me is learning about my heritage as a lesbian and the people and movements that came before me. It means loving myself and my identity with my entire heart, even when it’s hard, and it means that I have a community of people who I can love and will share their love for me in return.

How has modeling for SmartGlamour helped you or supported you in your journey?

SmartGlamour has introduced me to a lovely and diverse community of people who have all experienced life in different ways; it’s important for our growth as human beings to learn about and love people from all walks of life. SmartGlamour is beautifully diverse and supportive – we can all use a bit more of that in our lives!

I actually have a really complicated relationship with Pride. On the one hand, I appreciate it as a celebration for the entire queer community to be authentically ourselves as well as continuing the protest from the late 1960’s. I’ve been enjoying Pride celebrations since my senior year of high school and it has always been an amazing feeling to know that I’m surrounded by other queer people. On the other hand, Pride has been co-opted and commercialized. As cool as it is to see rainbows in Target and The Gap, all I really see is big corporations profiting off of queer people. Unless these companies are doing something for the queer community, selling rainbows isn’t going to help anyone. Cisgender-Heterosexual people now flock to Pride as well to observe the spectacle and take part of the one holiday that doesn’t being to them. The queer community has also has an identity-policing issue in which your gayness is judged and compared. Bi/Pan erasure is still rampant, people in straight-passing relationships are judged as well as trans people that “pass” or may not “look trans enough.” We need to remember that Pride was born from the oppression and strength of trans women of color saying enough is enough. If we’re not fighting for everyone in the queer community, we’re fighting against each other.

How has modeling for SmartGlamour helped you or supported you in your journey?

I started modeling with SmartGlamour around 6 months after coming out as trans-nonbinary/genderfluid. My entire life I have found joy in playing with gender and confusing people as much as possible with my presentation. Having now come out as non-binary, I felt pressure to constantly present as trans or androgynous. SmartGlamour helped me realize that no matter how I’m dressed, I’m presenting as a genderfluid person because that’s who I am. Modeling for SmartGlamour has been one of the most validating experiences for me as a trans person. Everyone is seen as an equal and pronouns are actually paid attention to! I may be modeling “femme” clothes but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m a non-binary model. I’ll always say, clothing has no gender. It’s just pieces of cloth with holes cut out. If I find something cute I’m going to wear it because I’m cute.

SmartGlamour seconds what Bear said! Clothing knows no gender. Fashion is for all bodies, for all humans, period. We are proud to stand by this during Pride month, and every other month of the year. We have so much love for the beautiful humans who shared with us in this post, and we appreciate their authenticity and their power.

We are a bit delayed with our May Model of the Month Feature – but only due to our own business schedule, because this babe is a gem. Alex has been modeling with SmartGlamour for a little over just one year, which seems ridiculous as she is such a strong pillar in the SmartGlamour modeling family! Learn a bit more about her below.

1. Aside from occasionally modeling for SmartGlamour – what do you do?

• I’m an actor, model and theater producer. If you’re asking how I pay for food, rent, etc., then I’m a hotel Sales Manager. I’ve been in the hotel industry for the last 10 years all while hustling to make my dreams come true.

2. How did you get involved with the brand?

• Fellow model friend, Temiah, shared a casting post on Facebook and I truly thought it was a scam. Who actually casts ALL types of humans? Spoiler alert: SmartGlamour does.

3. You’ve modeled for us multiple times – what makes you continue to come back?

• Aside from wanting to put on the beautiful clothes, I come back because of the positive messages SmartGlamour puts out into the world. I’ve never felt so empowered before SmartGlamour came into my life. Also, being surrounded by likeminded babes makes me feel we can all make a lasting, positive difference in fashion and the world.

4. What does body positivity mean to you?

• For me, body positivity means loving your body. It means ALL bodies are GOOD bodies. There is no wrong way to have a body. Period.

5. If there is a message you could put across to other people through your modeling photos – what would that be?

• My message would be that we, humans of color, people who don’t fit into the boxes of westernized beauty, exist. People of color have been under represented too long in print and media. We are here and will continue to fight for accurate representation as well as lift up our fellow humans who are marginalized.

6. What is your advice to other people who would like to give modeling a try?

• Do it. The only person holding you back from any opportunity is yourself.